FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Fort Lauderdale United FC’s USL League Two Men’s side dropped its matchup with Sarasota Paradise on Wednesday evening, falling 2-1 in its first match of the season at AutoNation Field at the FTL UTD Training Facilities. Forward Johan Arevalo scored his second goal of the season in the opening stages of the match, but a pair of late strikes from Sarasota handed Fort Lauderdale United its first loss of the 2025 campaign. With the result, Fort Lauderdale now sits at 5-1 in its inaugural USL2 season, and the club will look to bounce back on Wednesday evening in its final home match of the season in a showdown against Miami AC.
Fort Lauderdale United earned an early lead after Arevalo opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a terrific left-footed strike from outside the box. After beating a pair of Sarasota defenders, Arevalo took a touch, noticed the space in front of him and fired a rocket into the back of the net on the near post side from about 20 yards out. The lead was nearly doubled on multiple occasions before halftime, with defender Tibo Gobet and forward Scott Neil each coming close but narrowly missing the target. After 45 tough, physical minutes, Fort Lauderdale United took a 1-0 advantage into the break.
Fort Lauderdale continued to hold strong throughout the second half, with the attack applying consistent pressure. Forward Michael Appiah and midfielder Carlos Zambrano each came close to extending the lead on multiple occasions. A penalty was awarded to Sarasota in the 83rd minute, and the club converted from the spot to equalize in the 83rd minute. Just six minutes later, Sarasota struck again to take a 2-1 lead before the 90-minute mark. In stoppage time, Fort Lauderdale United earned a penalty kick with a chance to level the score, but the attempt deflected off the crossbar, just narrowly missing the mark. After 90 minutes, Fort Lauderdale United fell 2-1 in a heartbreaker at AutoNation Field at the FTL UTD Training Facilities against Sarasota Paradise.
Back In Action
Our Fort Lauderdale United FC USL League Two team will return to the pitch on Wednesday, June 11 for its sixth consecutive home matchup, but this time with Miami AC. Kick-off is set for 7:00 p.m., and entry into the match is free for all!